Visual user interface for hair styling apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a heated hair styling device comprising a handle ( 20 ), a body ( 30 ), an LCD visual interface ( 50 ), and an audible signal ( 70 ) to notify a user of particular states of operation of the hair styling device. The LCD ( 50 ) display provides information of at least one operating condition of the device, for example, the temperature of the device, the heat setting, the amount of time that the device has been “on”, etc.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of co-owned U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/346,921 filed Jan. 8, 2002, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/347,663 filed Jan. 11,2002, both incorporated herein by reference. The present invention isdirected to a visual user interface for a heated hair styling apparatusand, more particularly, to a user interface comprising an LED (LightEmitting Diode) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) to allow the user toview a variety of operating characteristics of the heated hair stylingapparatus which may be a hair dryer, curling iron, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heated hair styling devices, such as curling irons, hair dryers, hairstraighteners, hot rollers, and the like are well known. In recentyears, many of these devices have been equipped with features such astemperature control and automatic shut-off. However, these heated hairstyling devices are typically designed with little attention to thescope of the controls and level of feedback that its user receives.Generally, the user is presented with controls that do not accuratelycontrol the temperature of the device. Additionally, the controls maynot allow the user to ascertain the operating temperature of the device.Without these capabilities of being able to accurately adjust thetemperature or other operating characteristics of the device, the useris likely to be unable to sustain a desired hairstyle or look.

Capabilities to accurately control the operating conditions of a heatedhair styling device would be beneficial to users. Therefore, in light ofthe foregoing deficiencies in the prior art, the applicant's inventionis herein presented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes at least one disadvantage of the priorart by providing a hair styling device comprising a handle; a body; anaudio signal which sounds an alarm when at least one predeterminedoperating condition is achieved; and a liquid crystal display (LCD)visual display positioned on one of the handle and the body, wherein thevisual display provides information related to at least one operatingcondition of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handle of a heated hair styling devicehaving a user interface in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an LCD that may be used in conjunction with a hairstyling device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second heated hair styling devicehaving a user interface in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another LCD that may be used in conjunction with ahair styling device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a another heated hair styling devicehaving a user interface as shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate version of an LCD that may be used inconjunction with a hair styling device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third heated hair styling devicehaving a user interface in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth heated hair styling devicehaving a user interface in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an example of a circuit diagram used with the presentinvention as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which, in conjunction with this detailed description,illustrate and describe a hair styling device having a visual userinterface in accordance with the present invention. While specificdevices, such as a hair dryer or a curling iron are shown, the presentinvention is not limited by such examples which are provided forillustration of the invention application.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1, a hair styling device in the formof a curling iron, generally designated 10, in accordance with thepresent invention may have the well-known appearance of conventionalcurling irons. The hair styling device 10 may comprise an elongated,generally cylindrical handle 20, a rod-like body or barrel 30 joined inco-axial arrangement with the handle 20. The hair styling device 10further comprises a clip-like tong 32, rotatably secured to the barrel30 proximate to the junction of the barrel 30 to the handle 20.

The barrel 30 is typically comprised of a heat-conducting material, suchas metal, which may be surface-treated to permit easy release of hairstrands from the barrel after a curl is formed. The barrel 30 istypically tubular in form. The barrel may have a variety of diameterscorresponding to a size or shape of curl desired by the user. One end ofthe barrel 30 is connected to the handle 20 so that the heater insidethe barrel 30 may be energized by a power source from the handle 20. Theend of the barrel 30 opposite the handle 20 has a tip 34 comprised of anon-heat conducting material, such as plastic, so that a user may holdthe hair styling device 10 at both ends without touching the heatedbarrel 30.

Similar to the barrel 30, the tong 32 may be comprised of aheat-conducting material, such as metal. The tong 32 comprises a hairgrasping portion 36 and a lever portion 38. The lever portion 38 of thetong 32 has an area that is covered with a non-heat conductivesubstance, such as plastic, so that the lever portion 38 may bedepressed by a user's finger or thumb without touching the hot surfaceof the tong 32. The hair grasping portion 36 of the tong 32 extendsalong at least a portion of the length of barrel 30 and is arcuatelyformed so that when the tong 32 is in its closed position, its insidesurface conforms to the curvature of the barrel 30.

The handle 20 is fabricated from a non-heat conducting, electricallyinsulated material, such as plastic. For instance, the handle 20 may becomprised of polyvinyl chloride with a rubberized paint coating. Thehandle 20 may be internally hollowed to receive a conventionalelectrical power supply cord 40. The power supply cord 40 is connectedto a heating element (not shown) within the barrel 30 of the hairstyling device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the heating element is aknown resistance type heater. The heating element may be comprised of aresistance wire encapsulated in an electrically insulating sleeve, alsoknown as a rope heater; a resistance wire encapsulated in ceramicmaterial, also known as a ceramic heater or mica heater, a positivetemperature coefficient thermistor, also known as a PTC heater, or amica heater; a gas powered heating element fueled by butane or similargas fuel; or any other suitable heating element. The power level of theheater and power supply should be sufficient to maintain thetemperatures required for curling hair. The heating element of thepresent invention may be heated by a power cord 40 as shown in thedrawings and described above. The heating element may alternatively bepowered by line voltage, direct current, batteries, a gas source, bytransfer of thermal energy from a separate heat source, or any otherappropriate power source, all of which are contemplated by the presentinvention.

The power supply in the present invention should be able to sustain aheating element temperature sufficient to curl hair. For instance, inone embodiment, the power supply should be able to heat the heatingelement to at least 90° C. In another embodiment, the power supplyshould be capable of heating the curling iron barrel 30 and maintainingtemperatures of 120-200° C.

In addition, it is contemplated that the device of the present inventionwill have a rapid heat-up time; for instance, the power supply mayenable the heating element to reach 120° C. in approximately one and ahalf minutes. This heating time is presented for illustration only, andfaster and slower heating times are contemplated by and should beconsidered to be included within the scope of the present invention.

The handle 20 of the hair styling device 10 comprises unique indicatorand function control means. The handle includes a visual user display 50shown in the form of a liquid crystal diode (“LCD”) display means. TheLCD 50 is powered by the power supply (e.g. 20) of the hair styling unit10. A close-up view of the display 50 is shown in FIG. 2. The displayincludes a first operating condition indicator 52 of the device in theform of a temperature setting indicator 52. In one embodiment, thedevice 10 is programmed to assign a number or range of numbers toparticular temperatures. For instance, the temperature settings may beset up according to the following table: TABLE 1 SETTING APPLICATIONTEMPERATURE (° C.) 01-06 Very fine hair/fragile hair 120 07-12 Easy tocurl hair 140 13-15 Normal/textured hair 160 16-20 Wavy/curly hair 18021-30 Coarse/very thick hair 200

The above table is presented by way of example only and should not bedeemed to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Temperatures orranges may be assigned to various settings consisting of numbers,letters, descriptive terms (such as LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH) or otherletters or symbols.

It is contemplated by the present invention that when the hair stylingdevice 10 is powered on, a default temperature setting will beactivated. The hair styling device 10 will automatically begin to heatto that default temperature unless the heat is adjusted up or down bythe user. For instance, in the numbering system shown in Table 1, thedefault setting may be the middle heat setting of 15. The defaultsetting may alternatively be the lowest or highest setting. It is alsocontemplated that a user of a hair styling device 10 in accordance withthe present invention could set her own default temperature which willbe “saved” by the hair styling device 10 such that whenever the hairstyling device 10 is powered “on”, it will automatically heat up to thespecific user's desired temperature.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the barrel temperature iscontrolled by a high speed switching diode. The diode acts as a sensorto cut off power and to maintain the temperature of the barrel at thesetting selected by the user. Many switches for controlling electricalpower to a device are known in the art. It is contemplated that any oneof these switches or a combination of switches could be used to controlthe power to the heating element or LCD of the present invention.

For example, the present invention may comprise one or more “buttons” 60to control the various functions of the styling device. It iscontemplated that one of the buttons would be an “on/off switch”, that asecond and/or third button(s) would be used to select the temperaturesetting for the styling device. Additional buttons 60 could be added tocontrol various other features of the styling device 10 such as timers,ion functions, heat bursts, cool shots, sleep mode, etc.

It is contemplated that the on/off button would function as follows: auser would press and hold the button for a short time, for instance onesecond, to switch the unit on or off. For the temperature controlbutton, it is contemplated that a user would press an “up” or “+” buttonto increase the temperature setting and a “down” or “−” button todecrease the temperature setting. For instance, one press of a “+” or“−” button would move the temperature setting one setting level up ordown (e.g. from 15 to 16 or from 15 to 14). It is also contemplated bythe present invention that the user could cause the temperature settingto go in “fast forward” or “fast reverse” by pressing and holding a “+”or “−” button.

The hair styling device 10 of the present invention may also include anautomatic shut-off feature which will power off the heating elementafter the hair styling device 10 has been on for a predetermined lengthof time. As shown in FIG. 2, the LCD display 50 includes a secondoperating condition indicator 54 of the device 10 in the form of a“clock” which indicates to the user how long the styling device 10 hasbeen in use. In one embodiment, the “clock” 54 comprises a circledivided into a number of wedge-shaped segments 56. Each segment 56 willflash or be illuminated for a certain period of time while the hairstyling device 10 is powered on. It is contemplated that when thestyling device 10 is first turned on, a first segment 56 begins flashingto indicate a first increment of time. However, it is also within thescope of the present invention to have all segments “on” when thestyling device 10 is powered “on” and one segment 56 at a time may shutoff or disappear to indicate the passing of an increment of time.

For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the clock 54 isdivided into twelve segments 56, each segment representing five minutes.When the hair styling device 10 is powered on, a first segment 56 beginsto flash. After five minutes, this segment 56 will stop flashing andwill stay in its “on” state. Simultaneously, a second segment 56 beginsto flash for five minutes. This goes on until all segments 56 are “lit”,representing an hour (60 minutes). This will allow a user to track howlong the styling device 10 has been “on”. When all twelve segments 56are “lit”, the styling device 10 will either shut off or switch to a“sleep” mode. In the “sleep” mode, the heater for the styling device ispowered “off”, but the main circuit for the unit 10 is still running.The unit 10 must be disconnected from its power source to reset. Itshould be understood that this explanation is presented by way ofexample only and that many variations of this example are includedwithin the scope of the present invention.

The LCD display 50 will typically have a background light which willturn “on” whenever any of the buttons 60 described above is pressed. Thelight will remain on for a short period of time (e.g. 1-5 seconds). Ifno other buttons are pressed within this time period, the light willturn off. The light may also remain on for the entire time that theheating element is powered on, however, this may be considered a wasteof power.

The present invention may further comprise an alarm 70 or “beeper” whichmay be used to remind the user of the automatic shut-off or “sleep”feature. The beeper 70 may be configured to sound at a certainpredetermined time before the unit shuts off the heating element. Thebeeper 70 may also be configured to sound at a plurality ofpredetermined time intervals prior to the shut-off of the heatingelement to provide the user multiple warnings of this occurrence. Forinstance, the beeper 70 may be configured to sound every six seconds forone minute prior to shut-off or entering sleep mode. The beeper 70 mayadditionally be configured to sound when the unit 10 has reached thedesired barrel temperature.

It is also contemplated by the present invention that the beeper 70 mayhave different sounds to indicate the various states of the stylingdevice. For instance, the beeper 70 may sound multiple times insuccession to indicate that the barrel 30 has reached a desired stylingtemperature. Conversely, the beeper 70 may have a different pattern oronly one tone to indicate shut-off. Alternatively, different tones orpatterns may be used to indicate different states. It is contemplated bythe present invention that these indicators may be programmed into thestyling device 10 before purchase or the user may have the option toselect her preference for audible indicators in the styling device 10.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the styling unit 10 mayalso comprise a small light emitting diode (LED) light 80 on the handle20. This light 80 can serve as an indicator of when the curling iron 10has reached its desired temperature. For instance, when the hair stylingdevice 10 is powered on, the light 80 will begin to blink. When thebarrel 30 reaches the desired temperature, based on the setting, thelight will stop blinking and will stay in its on or off position.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a circuit diagram 110 is shown for use in thepresent invention as shown in FIG. 1. The circuit diagram 110 shows, ingeneral terms, the heater 112, AC power source 114, LCD display 116,audio buzzer 118, LED lights 120, clock 122, on/off switch 124, variablesetting thermistor 126, and chip 124.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the hair styling device 10′ is shown as a hairdryer. The hair dryer hair styling device 10′ comprises a handle 20′ anda barrel 30′. The outer shell portion of the hair dryer may befabricated of a substantially non-heat conducting, and/or electricallyinsulated material, such as plastic. In typical hair dryers, a motorrotates a fan to achieve air flow through the hair dryer 10′. When poweris supplied to the motor and the fan rotates, air is drawn into the hairstyling device 10′ through air inlets at the inlet grill 82. It is alsocontemplated that the air inlet grill 82 will be directly formed in arear or side portion of the barrel of the hair styling device 10′ or inan upper portion of the handle. The air drawn into the hair dryerthrough air inlets 82 passes over a heating element, typically foundinside the barrel 30′. The heating element may be a conventional typeheating element such as a resistance wire that is powered by the sameenergy source as the fan and motor. The heating element warms the air asit passes over the heating element before it is expelled from the hairstyling device 10′ through an outlet 84 in the end of the barrel 30′.The outlet 84 does not need to be completely open to accomplish the hairstyling device's purpose. For the purposes of this invention, any meanswhich will allow air to pass out of the air outlet of the hair dryer isconsidered an opening. For instance, the outlet end 84 of the barrel 30′may comprise slits or holes through which the air flows.

Similar to the previous embodiment, buttons 60 control the variousfunctions of the device 10′. The hair styling device 10′ also includesan LCD user interface 50′. The LCD interface 50′ may be located on thehandle 20′ or the barrel 30′. It is contemplated by the presentinvention that the LCD 50′ will be powered by the same power supply asthe motor and heater, for instance, power supply cord 40. The LCDdisplay 50′ is best shown in FIG. 4 showing a first operatingcharacteristic or condition 52′ of the device 10′ and a second operatingcondition 54′ of the device 10′. In the example shown in FIG. 4, thefirst operating condition 52 is the heat setting similar to that of theprevious embodiment. The second operating condition 54′ shown is theactual temperature of the device. The LCD display 50′ could display amessage indicating that the device has been powered on. The LCDinterface 50′may also display many other pieces of information, such aslength of time the device has been in use or any other information auser would want to know about the operating state of the device 10′dryer such as, but not limited to, a temperature change indicator, anairflow rate change indicator, a wattage consumption rate changeindicator, and a shut-off timer.

Some of the changes in the operating characteristics of device 10′ maynot be apparent from a change in the sound of the motor. Accordingly,the present invention may further comprise an alarm or “beeper” 70similar to that in the previous embodiment which may be used to remindthe user of the various operating states of the device. The beeper 70may be configured to after the hair dryer has been in use for a certainperiod of time. The beeper 70 may also be configured to sound at aplurality of predetermined time intervals during use of the hair dryer.Further, the beeper 70 may be used to indicate various temperature orair speed settings, a temperature change, an airflow rate change, awattage consumption rate change, or that the device 10′ is shutting off.

It is also contemplated by the present invention that the beeper 70 mayhave different sounds to indicate the various states of the stylingdevice 10′. For instance, after the device 10′ is powered on, it maytake several seconds or more for the heating element or the fan motor toreach the desired temperature and/or speed. In addition, the device 10′may have an “auto shut off”/audible tone feature that works in thefollowing manner: Every fifteen minutes, the beeper 70 will give off twolong (2 second) tones which will serve as a time reference for the user.After 60 minutes the device 10′ will emit 5 small beeps indicating theunit will now power off and go into “sleep mode”. The beeper 70 may alsosound to indicate that the device 10′ has reached a desired state. Thebeeper 70 may have different patterns of sounding to indicate variousconditions. It is contemplated by the present invention that theseindicators may be programmed into the styling device 10′ beforepurchase, or the user may have the option to select her preference foraudible indicators in the styling device 10′.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the hair styling device 10″ is againshown as a hair dryer having handle 20 and barrel 30. The hair stylingdevice controls 60 and LCD display 50 are integrated in a functionalmanner providing visual indication of five operating conditions of thehair styling device. The LCD display 50 depicts the heat setting 52 andair flow speed 58 as a plurality of boxes that light up between amaximum and minimum setting, each having a respective set of up and downcontrols 61 on handle 20. The plurality of square boxes 52, 58 willflash at the desired setting and will stop flashing when the heat becomestable at the desired setting. The LCD display also signals whether the“cool shot” control button 63 is engaged indicated by the letter “C”which indicates that the heater is off. The LCD display also signalswhether the “ionic” control button 65 is engaged indicated by the letter“I” which indicates that the anti-static ion feature is engaged. The LCDdisplay also includes a timer clock 54 comprises a circle divided into anumber of wedge-shaped segments 56 similar to that shown in FIG. 2.These LCD display 50 may also be associated with an alarm as previouslydiscussed, or can be used without the alarm feature. The LCD visualinterface 50 showing operating conditions of the hair styling devicewould be especially beneficial to a user that has a hearing impedimentor is deaf.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, an air brush 10″″ is shown utilizing anLCD display 50 and a hair straightener/crimper 10″″ is shown utilizingan LCD display 50, respectively.

Accordingly, it should be understood that although the hair stylingdevice 10 is represented by several examples specifically mentioned inthis specification and shown in the drawings, other hair styling devicesare within the scope of the present invention. LCD displays of operatingconditions of the device and audible signal means could be coupled todevices including, but not limited to, hot rollers, cylindrical aircurling brushes, etc. It should be understood that specific embodimentsdescribed herein are included by way of example only and that variationsof these embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. Theexamples described herein should not be deemed limiting of the claimsappended hereto in any way.

1. A hair styling device comprising: a handle; a body; a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) visual display positioned on one of the handle and thebody, wherein the visual display provides information related to atleast one operating condition of the device; an audio signal whichsounds an alarm after a predetermined operating time at which time thedevice automatically shuts off.
 2. The hair styling device of claim 1,wherein the visual display provides information related to at least twooperating conditions of the device.
 3. The hair styling device of claim2, wherein the at least two operating conditions include a timerindicator and a temperature setting indicator.
 4. The hair stylingdevice of claim 2, wherein the at least two operating conditions includean actual temperature indicator and a temperature setting indicator. 5.The hair styling device of claim 2, wherein the at least two operatingconditions include an actual temperature indicator and a timerindicator.
 6. The hair styling device of claim 3, wherein the audiosignal sounds an alarm when the operating condition of the devicereaches a setting of the device.
 7. The hair styling device of claim 1,wherein the hair styling device is a device selected from the groupconsisting of a curling iron, a hair straightener/crimper, and hotcurlers.
 8. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the hair stylingdevice is a device selected from the group consisting of a hair dryerand an air brush.
 9. The hair styling device of claim 8, wherein the atleast one operating condition is selected from the group consisting of atemperature indicator, a temperature setting indicator, an airflow rate,a wattage consumption indicator, and a timer.
 10. The hair stylingdevice of claim 1, wherein the handle is rotatable with respect to thebody by at least 180 degrees.
 11. The hair styling device of claim 1,wherein the visual display further comprises a background light.
 12. Thehair styling device of claim 2, wherein the LCD provides both numericand symbolic data.
 13. A hair styling device comprising: a handle; abody; an audio signal which sounds an alarm when at least onepredetermined operating condition is achieved; and a visual displaypositioned on one of the handle and body; wherein the visual displaycomprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) which provides informationrelated to at least two operating conditions of the device.
 14. The hairstyling device of claim 13, wherein the at least one predeterminedoperating condition is a predetermined temperature.
 15. The hair stylingdevice of claim 13, wherein the hair styling device is a device selectedfrom the group consisting of a curling iron, a hair straightener, and ahair crimper.
 16. The hair styling device of claim 14, wherein the LCDprovides both numeric and symbolic data.
 17. The hair styling device ofclaim 13, wherein the hair styling device is a hair dryer.
 18. The hairstyling device of claim 17, wherein the at least two operatingconditions are selected from the group consisting of a temperatureindicator, a temperature setting indicator, an airflow rate setting, andairflow rate, a wattage consumption rate indicator, and a timer.
 19. Thehair styling device of claim 13, wherein the display comprises a timerwherein the audio signal sounds an alarm when the timer indicatorreaches a predetermined time limit.
 20. A method of manufacturing a hairstyling device comprising the steps of: providing a handle; providing abody; providing electronic circuitry comprising an audio signal whichsounds an alarm when at least one predetermined operating condition isachieved and an LCD display wherein the electronic circuitry is designedto provide at least one operational characteristic of the device to theLCD during operation; and inserting the electronic circuitry into thehandle and the body of the hair styling device such the LCD is visibleon the surface of one of the handle and the body of the hair stylingdevice.